A medical assistant keeps a doctor’s office running. On a typical day you might check patients in, take vital signs, draw blood, give an injection and update a patient’s chart, all before lunch. It is one of the fastest ways into healthcare: most programs take under a year, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects jobs to grow 13% from 2025 to 2035.
Here is what the job involves, where medical assistants work and what it takes to become one in St. Louis.
What does a medical assistant do?
Medical assistants do both clinical and administrative work. Some jobs lean one way, but most mix the two, and good training prepares you for both.
Clinical tasks
- Take vital signs and record medical histories
- Prepare exam rooms and help patients get ready for the provider
- Assist the physician during exams
- Draw blood and collect and prepare lab specimens
- Give injections and medications as directed and as Missouri law allows
- Perform EKGs and other basic tests
- Explain procedures and follow-up instructions to patients
Administrative tasks
- Greet and check in patients
- Schedule appointments and manage referrals
- Update electronic health records
- Help with insurance forms and billing
- Answer phones and keep supplies stocked
Specialty practices
In a specialty office the job can go deeper. A medical assistant in cardiology may run EKGs and help with stress tests. In OB/GYN, they may assist with exams and prenatal visits. In podiatry, they may help with casts, splints and minor procedures.
Medical assistant pay and job outlook
The median pay for medical assistants was $45,690 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were about 833,900 medical assistant jobs in 2025, and BLS projects about 109,700 openings each year through 2035 as the field grows and people retire or change careers.
Where medical assistants work
| Workplace | Share of medical assistant jobs |
|---|---|
| Physicians’ offices | 56% |
| Hospitals | 17% |
| Outpatient care centers | 10% |
| Offices of other health practitioners | 8% |
Source: BLS, 2025.
Physicians’ offices and clinics usually mean steady weekday hours and patients you get to know. Hospitals are faster paced and may involve shifts or weekends. Outpatient centers handle a steady flow of scheduled procedures. In the St. Louis area, all three hire medical assistants.
Do you need certification to be a medical assistant in Missouri?
Missouri does not require medical assistants to be certified or to hold a degree. Many employers prefer or require formal training, though, and some ask for a national credential or a Basic Life Support (BLS) card. Common national credentials include the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). Each has its own eligibility rules, so check with the certifying organization before you test.
Is medical assisting a good fit for you?
The people who do well in this job tend to be:
- Calm and kind with patients who are nervous or in pain
- Organized, with an eye for detail
- Good listeners who follow directions closely
- Happy doing a different task every few minutes
Medical assistant training at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½
ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½’s Medical Assisting certificate program teaches both clinical and front-office skills in a hands-on lab at our Earth City campus, near St. Louis.
- Length: 35 weeks for day classes, 51 weeks for evening or online blended
- Program: 35 credits, 810 hours
- Externship: 250 hours in a medical office or clinic, daytime
- Format: on campus or online blended
See upcoming start dates, learn about financial aid, or call 314-344-4440 to schedule a campus tour.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
At ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½, day students finish in 35 weeks and evening or online blended students finish in 51 weeks, including the externship.
Can medical assistants draw blood?
Yes. Drawing blood is a common clinical task, and it is taught in medical assistant training.
What is the difference between a medical assistant and a nurse?
Nurses need a nursing degree and a state license and can do more independent patient care. Medical assistants train in under a year and work under a provider’s direction, splitting time between clinical and office tasks.
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